More recently, the nasolacrimal probe has been combined with a balloon designed to forcibly expand the nasolacrimal duct, a strategy taken from angioplasty. The balloon catheter dilation has been available for the past 10 years. This procedure involves probing the nasolacrimal duct with a semi-flexible wire probe with an inflatable balloon on the tip. This technique has been used as a primary treatment of NLDO as well as a treatment for previous surgical failures. Balloon dilation has been promoted as a less complex procedure when compared to intubation, because it does not require retrieval of the probe from the nose. An additional advantage is that a stent is not left in the nasolacrimal system once the procedure is completed, eliminating the post-operative issues regarding removal of the tubes. The reported success proportions for balloon catheter dilation vary between 50% to 94% in published reports.